Northumberland Inclusive Economy Community Partnership

The Northumberland Inclusive Economy Community Partnership oversees a fund of £1.5 million, secured by Northumberland County Council to support the work of the voluntary and community sector in the South East of the county.

The North East Combined Authority (North East CA) was formed on 7 May 2024. It is led by Elected Mayor Kim McGuinness and the Cabinet and covers the seven local authority areas of County Durham, Gateshead, Newcastle, North Tyneside, Northumberland, South Tyneside and Sunderland. This project is funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. The UK Shared Prosperity Fund aims to improve pride in place and increase life chances across the UK investing in communities and place, supporting local business, and people and skills. For more information, visit https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-shared-prosperity-fund-prospectus

NCC provides the administrative support and acts as the Lead Accountable Body. The focus of the funding is to support

• impactful volunteering and social action projects to develop social and human capital in local places and

• investment in capacity building and infrastructure support for local civil society and community groups.

What is the partnership?

Stakeholders from the sector form the partnership and use their understanding of the communities they work in to identify needs in the context of the Inclusive Economy and work with community-level organisations to develop proposals for delivery.

Research and insights support from Centre for Thriving Places and New Economic Foundation will offer the partnership a potent opportunity to use on-the-ground knowledge and trends to inform and influence its wider work.

How does it work?

The fund is for local organisations in the VCS to enable them to build capacity and offer impactful volunteering opportunities to residents who are economically inactive to address inequalities and deliver Inclusive Economy ambitions.

A funding panel of six partnership members uses its diverse knowledge of the communities in the area to best focus the funding.

Grant funding is available for small projects, as well as revenue and capital schemes:

• Small revenue grants - £5,000 to £35,000

• Revenue projects - £35,000 to £100,000

• Capital projects - £50,000 to £100,000

Where is the fund focused?

The fund can be used for projects in the wards of

• Amble
• Ashington Central
• Bedlington Central
• Bedlington East
• College
• Cowpen
• Croft
• Hirst
• Isabella
• Kitty Brewster
• Lynemouth
• Newbiggin Central and East
• Newsham
• Plessey
• Seaton with Newbiggin West
• Sleekburn
• Stakeford
• Wensleydale

How do I apply for funding?

The call for projects closed in January 2024. Please read the Overview and the Grant Specification and Guidance - Call for Projects for information on eligibility and how projects applied.

Expression of Interest Form
Application Form
Annex 1 - Expenditure, Funding and Outputs Tables

Which projects have been funded?

A diverse range of 30 projects has been funded. Please see the programme for an overview of each project including contact details:
NIECP Programme

More information

For more information contact:
Adam Gray – VCS Employability and Communities Lead
Email: adam.gray@northumberland.gov.uk
Phone: 07814 075196